These dog breeds rank as the most popular in Raleigh. Did yours make the list?
Raleigh pet lovers are big fans of one dog breed — and they’re not alone.
Labrador retrievers top the list of furry friends registered with the American Kennel Club both in Raleigh and across the United States, according to figures shared March 15.
Overall, the list of favorite pups in North Carolina’s capital city nearly mirrored the national rankings. Here are the types of dogs that round out Raleigh’s top five:
- Golden retrievers
- German shepherds
- French bulldogs
- Poodles
“Raleigh loves its retrievers,” Gina DiNardo, executive secretary of the American Kennel Club, said in a news release. “Both the Lab and Golden Retriever have remained a fixture at the top of the charts and don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.”
Nationwide, that also seems to be the case. Labs have been named the most popular breed for the 31st straight year.
“While the loveable Lab remains a constant at the top of the charts, the Poodle has pawed its way back into the top five after 24 years, bumping the perennial favorite Bulldog out for the first time in almost a decade,” officials said.
Of the 197 dog breeds considered for 2021’s full national list, the American Kennel Club said fans praise labs for their “versatility and temperament.”
“If I want to go for a hike, run, swim, play ball, or hunt, they are up and ready to go,” judge Judy Heim of California said in a post on the club’s website. “However, if I want to stay home and eat a gallon of ice cream, watch the Super Bowl, or [watch a] movie, they are thrilled to hang right there, too. Consequently, this makes the Lab an excellent service dog.”
